Fremd downs Buffalo Grove to stay unbeaten
A year ago at this time, Fremd's girls basketball team was 5-2.
That's not bad for many programs.
But when you've had the success the Vikings have enjoyed this decade, you are always looking for more.
And the Vikings are finding it.
They ran their record to 7-0 on Tuesday night with a 59-40 Mid-Suburban League crossover win at Buffalo Grove.
"It's so exciting," said Fremd junior forward Olivia Hill. "Last year was really a rebuilding year. But I think we are all really stepping up and all getting really better together. It's really cool to see."
Fans saw an entertaining game most of the way, as the hosts kept within striking distance until the Vikings exploded on a 12-0 run.
The decisive rally started with 10 seconds left in the third quarter when junior Crystal Kim assisted on sophomore Ruthie Montella's layup.
It lasted until 2 free throws by Kim (4 rebounds, 3 assists) made it 51-32 with 3:51 left in the game.
"We talked at half about fixing some stuff and that we weren't doing well in the first half," said Fremd coach Dave Yates. "And I thought the kids did that in the second half."
When Zori Angelova put back her own miss late in the first half, the Bison (3-3) drew to within 25-20.
But a 3-pointer from Caroline Cochran and Hill's basket to start the third quarter extended the advantage back to 30-20.
The Vikes led by 7 when they went on their big 12-0 run.
"They're a good basketball team and they were just a little too much for us," said BG coach Steve Kolodziej. "They had that run and that changes the dynamic of the game."
Montella, coming of an all-tourney performance in the Turkey Thriller, led Fremd with 16 points while junior Emily Klaczek (6 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals) added 11. Freshman Briana Wooldridge (11 points) reached double figures for the fourth time in her young career and Hill added 8 with 4 rebounds.
"Olivia did a nice job," Yates said. "I think she's been waiting to break out and had she not picked up her fifth foul with five minutes left, who knows? But she did a nice job just getting to the rim. She has that in her. So to see her do it was nice."
Junior Macy Floro, coming off all-tourney honors at the Bison Classic, led BG with 14 points while Alyssa Ramos added 8, Angelova 6 and Jackie Bickhaus 5.
"I couldn't be any happier with Macy and she wasn't feeling 100 percent (illness)," Kolodziej said. "We got a real good game out of Alyssa Ramos and from Zori again. All the kids are stepping and doing the right things. You've got to give Fremd credit. They do a good job and we'll see where we go from here."
"Buffalo Grove has been in every game it has played and Steve does a great job," Yates added. "I think his kids improved tremendously. They are tough kids and they got after us."
Kolodziej sees his team getting better each game.
"I think you can see that," he said. "We've arguably played six of the toughest opponents of anyone in our conference and I feel good where we're at."